November 2020 Charter Election Information

Official Cumulative Election Results

 Proposition A Passed

Proposition A Ballot Proposition:

Shall the charter be amended to provide that the city of Bellaire must, prior to consideration of any ordinance by the city council for the construction of any sidewalk on any block zoned by the city for residential use, deliver by certified mail to each of the owners of real property located on such block, detailed written information consisting of the exact location of such sidewalk in relationship to all trees, landscaping, fencing, sprinkler systems, and drainage lines, and a hydrological study performed by an independent engineer not otherwise affiliated with the city or the project, such written information to be provided to each such owner on or before the date that is six (6) months prior to the city council’s consideration of the ordinance for construction of such sidewalk.

Unofficial Election Day Results

For additional election information, visit www.harrisvotes.com.

The City of Bellaire will hold a Special Election on November 3, 2020, for the purpose of submitting to the voters for approval or disapproval three propositions to amend the City Charter.

Notice of Election - Special Election 2020 Charter Amendments

Fiscal Impacts 

This information supplements the Notice of Election published October 13, 2020, pursuant to Texas Local Government Code § 9.004(c)(2) and includes an estimate of the anticipated fiscal impact to the municipality for each proposed amendment if approved by the voters.

For the purposes of providing this information, there are two types (or categories) of sidewalk project scenarios and estimate for city blocks that were considered in estimating the anticipated fiscal impacts of these propositions:

 (1) Projects with sidewalks that are included along with new street and drainage improvements are referred to as “Comprehensive Infrastructure Projects.” 

(2) Projects with sidewalks that are not included along with new street and drainage improvements are referred to as “Standalone Sidewalk Projects.”

(3) The City estimates that it has approximately 764 street blocks with 50 of those being non-residential in nature. 

(4) Estimates for the current sidewalk inventory along the City’s residential street blocks are as follows:

• Number of blocks with complete sidewalks on one-side - 274
• Number of blocks with complete sidewalks on both sides - 167
• Number of blocks with no complete sidewalks on either side - 272

Proposition A

Shall the charter be amended to provide that the city of Bellaire must, prior to consideration of any ordinance by the city council for the construction of any sidewalk on any block zoned by the city for residential use, deliver by certified mail to each of the owners of real property located on such block, detailed written information consisting of the exact location of such sidewalk in relationship to all trees, landscaping, fencing, sprinkler systems, and drainage lines, and a hydrological study performed by an independent engineer not otherwise affiliated with the city or the project, such written information to be provided to each such owner on or before the date that is six (6) months prior to the city council’s consideration of the ordinance for construction of such sidewalk.

Comprehensive Infrastructure Project (includes sidewalk)

Proposition A: Fiscal Impact Review for Comprehensive Infrastructure Projects that Include Sidewalks

Estimated fiscal impact per block: $1,975 – $5,025 

Potential "add-on" fiscal impact(s) per block:  Unknown

Total Blocks Possibly Affected: 547 blocks out of 714 residential blocks 

Total Potential Citywide Impacts: 

Standard of one-side of each residential block having a continuous sidewalk:    272 blocks   $537,200 - $952,000

Standard of both sides of each residential block having a continuous sidewalk: 547 blocks   $1,080,325 - $2,748,675         

Analysis:  As design for sidewalk improvements would be included in the overall design work for a comprehensive infrastructure project, the potential fiscal impact would include the cost of the design work specifically for sidewalks. If design costs were not lost, the fiscal impacts for design would be $0.  If the sidewalk related design costs were lost, this impact would be an estimated cost of $1,525 per block for the design of sidewalks on one side and $3,050 for installation of sidewalks on both sides of a street.

The next potential impact for this type of project would be for the mailings and coordination with residents and property owners.  Like what is referenced for Proposition B, and assuming minimal reproduction costs, the estimated impact would be $500 per block.

There would also be impacts due to the requirement of a “hydrological study performed by an independent engineer.” The assumption in estimating this fiscal impact is that an outside firm would review the necessary information prepared by the design engineer of a project on a block-by-block basis. The estimate for that cost would be $500 per block. Additionally, based on the additional surveying requirements necessary to identify the detailed components required to be shown in the construction plans, costs would increase to approximately $975 per block.   

There are also potential "add-on" costs and related considerations relative to this proposition when viewed in conjunction with Proposition B. There would be the potential for several iterations of design on a lot-by-lot basis necessary in order to achieve the required approval percentage to proceed. In addition, the timing for that approval may run longer than expected and potentially re-trigger some of the date requirements thereby requiring the mailings and coordination efforts to be duplicated for an entire block or on a case-by-case basis. There may also be impacts for additional project development costs relative to the bidding, design, and project approval processes.                               

Stand-Alone Sidewalk Projects

Proposition A-Fiscal Impact Review for Stand-Alone Sidewalk Projects

Estimated fiscal impact per block: $1,975 – $10,775       

Potential "add-on" fiscal impact(s) per block: Unknown

Total Blocks Possibly Affected: 547 blocks out of 714 residential blocks 

Total Potential Citywide Impacts: 

Standard of one-side of each residential block having a continuous sidewalk:    272 blocks   $537,200 - $1,734,248

Standard of both sides of each residential block having a continuous sidewalk: 547 blocks   $1,080,325 - $5,893,925

Analysis: As design for standalone sidewalk improvements includes the design of sidewalk that would be added to a street with no sidewalk, sidewalk only on one side, or a street with missing sidewalk segments, the potential fiscal impact would include the loss of the cost of all design work for a stand-alone sidewalk project.  If design costs were not lost, the fiscal impacts for design would be $0.   

If design costs were lost, based on previous design work for similar projects, and considering the specific details required to be included per this proposition, the potential impact for lost design costs are estimated to be $4,440 per block for installation of sidewalks on one side and $8,880 for installation of sidewalks on both sides.  

The next potential impact for this type of project would be the mailings and coordination with residents and property owners. Similar to what is referenced for Proposition B, and assuming minimal reproduction costs, the estimated impact would be $500 per block.

There would also be impacts due to the requirement of a “hydrological study performed by an independent engineer.” The assumption in estimating this fiscal impact is that an outside firm would review the necessary information prepared by the design engineer of a project on a block-by-block basis. The estimate for that cost would be $500 per block. Additionally, based on the additional surveying requirements necessary to identify the detailed components required to be shown in the plans, costs would increase up to approximately $975 per block.

There are also potential "add-on" costs and related considerations relative to this proposition when viewed in conjunction with Proposition B. There would be the potential for several iterations of design on a lot-by-lot basis necessary in order to achieve the required approval percentage to proceed. In addition, the timing for that approval may run longer than expected and potentially re-trigger some of the date requirements thereby requiring the mailings and coordination efforts to be duplicated for an entire block or on a case-by-case basis. There may also be impacts for additional project development costs relative to the bidding, design, and project approval processes.       

Proposition B

Shall the Charter be amended to provide that no sidewalks shall be constructed by the City of Bellaire on any block zoned by the city for residential use without the written approval of at least fifty percent (50%) of the owners of real property located on such block, such approval to be obtained no more than three (3) months prior to the commencement of such construction.

Proposition B Fiscal Impact Review for Sidewalk Projects (Comprehensive or Stand-Alone)

Estimated Fiscal impact per block: $500      

Potential "add-on" fiscal impact(s) per block: Unknown

Total Blocks Possibly Affected: 547 blocks out of 714 residential blocks 

Total Potential Citywide Impacts: 

Standard of one-side of each residential block having a continuous sidewalk:    272 blocks   $136,000

Standard of both sides of each residential block having a continuous sidewalk: 547 blocks $273,500

Analysis: The estimated costs for mailings and coordination with residents and property owners is $500 per block. Contingent on the passage of other propositions and potential duplicate efforts, there may be potential "add-on" costs, but those would be on a case-by case basis and not readily quantifiable. 

Proposition C

Shall the Charter be amended to provide that the city of Bellaire shall not construct any sidewalk on any block zoned by the city for residential use, unless the city concurrently eliminates the impact of such additional impervious material used in the sidewalk construction on surface water discharge/runoff within the city.

Comprehensive Infrastructure Project (includes sidewalk)

Estimated Fiscal Impact per block: $0           

Potential "add-on" fiscal impact(s) per block: $0 

As the minimal increase in impervious cover would be accounted for in the design sizing of the storm sewer for the project, there would be no fiscal impact from this proposition on any proposed Comprehensive Infrastructure Project.      

Stand-Alone Sidewalk Project

Estimated Fiscal Impact per block: $0 

Potential Fiscal Impact Review for "add-on" assumptions:

"Add-on" fiscal impact assumption per block: $4,500 - $21,000

Total Blocks Possibly Affected: 547 blocks out of 714 residential blocks

Total Potential Citywide Impacts: 

Standard of one-side of each residential block having a continuous sidewalk: 272 blocks $1,224,000 - $5,712,000

Standard of both sides of each residential block having a continuous sidewalk: 547 blocks $4,923,000 - $11,487,000 

Analysis: The minimal increase in impervious cover would typically be absorbed in the capacity of the existing stormwater lines. Under those assumptions, there would be no fiscal impact from this proposition on any proposed Stand-Alone Sidewalk Project. Addressing the minimal improvements that might be needed specifically to offset the addition of sidewalks for areas without stormwater lines would be difficult and not practical (e.g. requirement to re-grade a gutter line down 1/3”). As mentioned, in those instances, the estimated fiscal impact would be $0.

However, if the decision were to be made to address the increase in impervious cover from the addition of sidewalks, above and beyond the minimal offset requirements, additional costs would be added. This work could include inlet improvements, gutter line work, or the addition of inlet(s). For those scenarios, estimates of $4,500 - $21,000 could be realized. Actual conditions and work per block would vary.

Technical review report provided by the City Engineer: Technical Review Report                

*************************************************************************************

November 2, 2021 General Election

Positions on the November 2, 2021 Ballot:

Mayor

Council Member, Position No. 1

Council Member, Position No. 3

Council Member, Position No. 5

Term of Office

The term of office for the position of mayor is two years from January 3, 2022, to January 8, 2024.

The term of office for the position of council member is four years from January 3, 2022, to January 5, 2026.

Notice of Deadline to File Applications for a Place on the Ballot

The Notice of Deadline to File Applications for a Place on the Ballot will be posted to this page in June 2021 with the July and August filing dates and times.

Candidate Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to be a candidate for, or elected, to office as mayor or a council member of the City of Bellaire, Texas, a person must:

(1)          Be a United States citizen;

(2)          Be twenty-one (21) years of age or older on the first day of the term to be filled at the election;

(3)          Have not been determined mentally incompetent by a final judgment of a court;

(4)          Have not been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities;

(5)          Have resided continuously in the State of Texas and within the corporate limits of the City of Bellaire for 12 months immediately preceding the filing deadline of the regular election; and

(6)          Be a qualified, registered voter of the State of Texas, County of Harris.

*************************************************************************************

November 7, 2023 General Election

Positions on the November 7, 2023 Ballot:

Mayor

Council Member, Position No. 2

Council Member, Position No. 4

Council Member, Position No. 6

 Term of Office

The term of office for the position of mayor is two years from January 8, 2024, to January 5, 2026.

The term of office for the position of council member is four years from January 8, 2024, to January 3, 2028.

Notice of Deadline to File Applications for a Place on the Ballot

The Notice of Deadline to File Applications for a Place on the Ballot will be posted to this page in June 2023 with the July and August filing dates and times.

Candidate Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to be a candidate for, or elected, to office as mayor or a council member of the City of Bellaire, Texas, a person must:

(1)          Be a United States citizen;

(2)          Be twenty-one (21) years of age or older on the first day of the term to be filled at the election;

(3)          Have not been determined mentally incompetent by a final judgment of a court;

(4)          Have not been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities;

(5)          Have resided continuously in the State of Texas and within the corporate limits of the City of Bellaire for 12 months immediately preceding the filing deadline of the regular election; and

(6)          Be a qualified, registered voter of the State of Texas, County of Harris.